Ajax striker Chuba Akpom admits he feels revitalised by new coach John van 't Schip.

Van 't Schip has made an instant impact since replacing Maurice Steijn.

And after scoring twice in the win against SC Heerenveen on the weekend, Akpom made his feelings clear.

The former Arsenal and Middlesbrough striker stated: "The new trainer immediately gave me confidence, right from the first day. He made me feel more at home at Ajax than in the past two months combined. The first two months were terrible, to be honest.

"I didn't play, we didn't win... I was in a hotel by myself. It was stressful."

Although Akpom did not mention Steijn's name, his answers contained harsh criticism of his former coach.

"What does the new coach do differently? He spoke to me as a human being. We are football players, but we are first and foremost people. For example, he asked me how I have settled here in the Netherlands."